Perhaps he could have added that Pakistan could work to make conditions favourable for the visit,” Sibal said. According to Sibal, the Saarc charter does not allow bilateral issues on the agenda. “If the prime minister does not travel to Pakistan due to bilateral tensions, then it will send a wrong signal to Saarc,” Sibal said. The heightening of tensions and war of words between the two countries had put a question mark over Modi’s visit to Pakistan for the Saarc summit. However, given Modi’s commitment to improving ties with India’s immediate neighbours under his neighbourhood first policy, enunciated within days of getting elected as prime minister, analysts say Modi would likely visit Pakistan but restrict any bilateral interactions with Sharif.

Source: Mint September 06, 2016 16:18 UTC